The First Day of School - A Photo Essay
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The first day of school is a special moment for every child. Sure, it can be nerve-wracking -but exciting too. To help them navigate the unfamiliar environment, primary schools have orientation programmes and buddy systems to make the day as anxiety-free and enjoyable as it can be.
At St Hilda's Primary School, as soon as the Pri 1 pupils alighted from the school buses on the first day, they were greeted by Pri 2 pupils who showed them to the canteen where all the new pupils were gathering. The canteen and school hall were decked out with bundles of colourful balloons - brilliant blues, reds and yellows to give that extra feeling of welcome.
The rest of the day was spent getting to know the school: the Pri 1 pupils attended their first assembly in the hall, were showed around the school and introduced to their teachers, learnt about school rules and, most importantly, began making new friends. Their parents were busy too, capturing all the Kodak moments of the first day on camera or video.
Taking their first steps into St Hilda's Primary School - it is re-assuring to have a buddy to show the way. Bags are also clearly tagged to avoid mix-ups.
The first day of school for 2009 is a hot afternoon on 2 January. Before the arrival of the fresh batch of Primary One (P1) Students, Mrs Lim Tai Foon, the Senior Teacher in charge of the first day of school programme, briefs a team of some newly appointed junior leaders from the Primary Two level. They will later be buddies to their juniors.
Pairing Primary Two (P2) student leaders with their juniors, they will help them get adjusted to their new environment beginning with showing them the way to the assembly.
The first P1 student of the day was already patiently waiting in line for the rest of his class to arrive while the school buses were just beginning to roll in.
"Hey Dad, I'm OK! Don't worry." ...even P1 pupils have handphones.
Raring to go, many boys leap out the bus door like skydivers from planes.
Some P1 pupils were already friends before coming to their new school. These two friends happen to be in the same class.
Watchful like eagles over their young ones, an almost equal number of parents take up position behind a line of markers labelled with their P1 children's class numbers.
It is also a tearful day for some. At the age of 6-7 years old, new P1 children are sometimes overwhelmed by a new environment. But after the first few days, tears will usually dry and a new experience awaits them. One father commented that his daughter only wanted him to come on the first day and that she did not need him to come after that.
A P2 pupil buddy gives a re-assuring hand to her P1 junior.
With some details still to be sorted, two parents check with the school administrative staff at the general office. Generally most parents would already have gone through an orientation prior to the First Day. But there are always queries and most schools have a good team of support staff to attend to parents while the teachers are busy with their classes.
Parents with all manner of recording devices capture every moment of their children on Day 1.
A total of 330 P1 pupils are assembled in the school hall for the first time in this new year.
Having only two levels in the afternoon session, a P2 pupil leads in the recitation of the National Pledge.
The Principal Mdm Kew Mee Ying starts the assembly with some encouraging messages.
From the back of the hall, some parents take a peek in to watch the assembly. Some also join in the singing.
Smiles abound as they go to class.
Pupils troop through corridors lined with parents on their way to class.
The first class begins with basic class administration such as learning to exchange greetings between pupils and their teacher before and after each class.
Cameras still in hand, parents make home movies of the first class of their children.
Parents observe their children at class through the classroom window. There are a total of 11 P1 classes.
Learning to get in line is also one of the first few things P1s learn at their first class.
While the students get orientated, the Principal gives a presentaton to the parents to let them know more about the school's myriad of programmes and their Journey of Excellence in the years to come.The Principal's Talk also draws the parents away from the classrooms so the pupils and teachers are less distracted.
Teacher Mrs Lydia Wong explains the use of the "chair-bag". It is designed to hold the books needed for each day and has a slot for it to be slipped over the student's chair, to be hung behind the chair. Books can be easily taken out and put in. The whole bag can also easily be placed into a standard school bag. This keeps the classroom tidy and it encourages students to pack their bags at home daily according to the time-table.
A smooth flow of concurrent activities takes place. Outside the classroom, P1 pupils are orientated to the toilets and facilities in the school.
Teacher Miss Wendy Tan does an ice-breaker with candies to encourage her pupils to get to know each other's names.
Most pupils get along fine and the buddy system works both ways, in helping the young ones find their way around and providing an opportunity for leadership by the seniors.
P2 buddies help their P1 schoolmates with the buying of food at recess.
There is much to talk about and get to know on the first day of school.
Flag lowering ceremony and singing of the National Anthem. Being the most senior level in the afternoon session, P2 students take the lead.
Energy is still high during the singing of the National Anthem.
While attendance is marked in the school bus before heading home, pupils and parents share some light hearted moments.
School's over, and pupils eagerly head to a waiting fleet of 16 buses.
New friends made, a day to remember.
Links to Other Blogs
If you have a blog entry of your child's first day in school and would like to send us the link, drop an email to lucian_teo@moe.gov.sg.